Context

Expanding renewable energy and promoting the use of energy-efficient technologies are among the top priorities of Moroccan Government policy. The commercial and employment potentials in these areas have not yet been fully exploited. Many decision-makers, prospective clients and the population in general are not aware of the advantages of renewable energy and of the potential energy savings. As a result, demand for the associated services has so far been low. In addition, specialists who provide installation services for renewable energy systems require special qualifications.

The purpose of the Green Mosques and Buildings Project is to modernise the energy systems in mosques and other buildings all across the country. In this way, the Moroccan Government aims to encourage the spread of these technologies and create jobs. The basis for this project is the Moroccan programme for the development of ‘Green Mosques’, which was initiated in 2014 by the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Religious Affairs in cooperation with SIE, the Moroccan state energy investment company, and AMEE, the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (AMEE).

Objective

Moroccan businesses benefit from new market opportunities. More jobs are available for specialists. The population is aware of the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Approach

The project is designed to make a sustainable contribution to Morocco’s energy transition and to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation. It is taking a three-pronged approach:

Reducing energy consumption of mosques and other public buildings
To achieve this goal, building managers are being supported in the introduction and efficient use of energy management systems. In future, they are to take decisions on priority measures aimed at reducing energy consumption on the basis of systematic data collection and analysis. They will then implement these measures, for example by placing orders with specialist companies. Savings in mosques will generally be achieved by using photovoltaic and solar-thermal systems and LED lighting.

Creating awareness among the population
The project raises awareness among the general public in Morocco by training multipliers such as imams and mourchidates (female clerics), and through media campaigns. These raise awareness among the population on the advantages of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Creating new job opportunities
Advice is being provided to companies to help them become more competitive and tap into new market segments. At the same time, job-seekers are being trained in a targeted manner so that they can fill existing and newly created positions. This is designed to create jobs in the auditing of public buildings, the maintenance of installed equipment and the monitoring of energy-saving measures in particular. In addition, business start-ups are to be supported on the basis of a newly introduced self-employment status in Morocco. Craftspeople and technicians are thus being aided in professionalising and formalising their work.

The project forms part of the BMZ Special Initiative for Stability and Development in the MENA Region. Through the projects that make up this special initiative, BMZ is helping to open up economic and social prospects for the people in the region. Within this context, over 70 additional development projects are being carried out between 2014 and 2022. The thematic focus is on youth and employment promotion, economic stabilisation, democracy and stabilising neighbouring countries in crisis situations.

Results

The project has so far contributed to the creation of 175 additional jobs and improved the employability of over 500 people. The energy systems of 100 mosques have been modernised. In the town of Tadmamt, the project supported the construction of an energy-plus mosque – it generates more electricity than it uses. Surveys of the existing energy situation of almost 1,000 mosques have been carried out by employees of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in preparation for upcoming tender procedures.

Almost 500 imams and mourchidates have participated in awareness workshops on the topic of energy efficiency. They are now passing on the knowledge they have acquired on energy efficiency in their localities; it is estimated that 15,000 multipliers are being reached in this manner. In addition, a guideline has been prepared containing religious arguments for energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy. A website and social media are also being used to increase public awareness.